Istanbul Apparel Conference focuses on Made in Türkiye brand

The 19th Istanbul Apparel Conference, organized by the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (TGSD) to mark its 50th anniversary, has opened under the theme ‘Redefined Value: Made in Türkiye’. The event brings together government officials, industry leaders, and international buyers to discuss the future of the sector.

Mehmet Ali Kılıçkaya, Director General of Exports at the Ministry of Trade, emphasized the importance of strengthening Turkish brands through design, sustainability, and high value-added production. He noted that the Ministry provides support across the entire export process, including e-export and green transformation. In 2025, Türkiye’s textile and apparel exports reached $30.86 billion, ranking the country seventh globally in combined exports.

Industry leaders expressed concerns regarding rising costs and competitiveness. TGSD Co-Chair Toygar Narbay highlighted that financing expenses and inflation have significantly pressured operating profits, noting that wages increased 11.3 times while inflation rose 9 times over a recent period. Additionally, TÜSİAD Chief Economist Gizem Öztok Altınsaç warned that Türkiye must develop long-term strategic plans to compete with the rising manufacturing capabilities of India and Africa, particularly as the global economy shifts toward artificial intelligence and intellectual property.